Comic Vine Review

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Batman #49 - Superheavy Part Nine

5

Things get tense and weird as Bruce Wayne begins to confront his past and decides his future.

Superheavy has been a a good story that suddenly started to crank up the action and suspense. It’s been an intriguing journey with Jim Gordon stepping into the role of being Gotham City’s Batman as the mysterious and incredibly creepy Mr. Bloom unleashes his plans. Throughout this journey, we’ve discovered what happened to Bruce Wayne after his confrontation with Joker in Endgame. We’ve seen stories where a character forgets their past only to regain their memories at the right moment. Bruce’s situation is different as those memories no longer exist. With his brain having been rewritten, the question remains as to how he could go back to his role as Batman? This is his chance to truly be happy and at peace. How could he give that all up?

Scott Snyder is joined by James Tynion IV in exploring the different paths Bruce’s life could have taken. It’s a pretty spectacular experience for readers. Seeing the different versions of Bruce almost makes you want the writers to put the current story on hold just so we can see more. What fascinates me most about stories like this is the idea of a whole new backstory being written or thought about by the writers. We’re just getting glimpses, but you have to wonder what brought the characters to this particular moment. Council of Owls? Mayor Wayne? Joe Chill in a new role? I want to see more!

The issue isn’t just crazy and intriguing possibilities for Bruce Wayne. We do see the story pick up where 48 left off with Bruce demanding Alfred give him access to the Batcave. We see the struggle poor Alfred has to go through as his ‘son’ is trying to give up his one chance at true happiness in order to dive back into the hell his life had been.

Yanick Paquette and Nathan Fairbairn do a remarkable job with the art and colors. It’s so easy to just submerge yourself into the different visuals being presented. They make the possibilities for Bruce feel real. They hammer home the idea that there must be much more to these different glimpses than we’re seeing. Along with these happenings, the interaction between Bruce and Alfred will keep you on the edge of your seat.

It’s always amazing when you’re pretty sure where the story is going to go or where it has to go and the creative team still manages to surprise and captivate readers. It’s easy to guess what has to happen in Batman #50 but Scott Snyder is shaking up how exactly certain events will happen. Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV deliver a fantastic story that truly leaves you hungry for more. Yanick Paquette’s art and Nathan Fairbairn’s colors are truly amazing. We expect certain things in a Batman comic, but this book shows it doesn't always have to take a conventional route. I'm even more excited for what's coming up than I was before.